The Daring Bakers go retro this month! Thanks to one of our very talented non-blogging members, Sarah, the Daring Bakers were challenged to make Croissants using a recipe from the Queen of French Cooking, none other than Julia Child!
Immediately my thoughts went back to my time in Switzerland where these deliciously flakey and addicting treats were abundant. I remember during brunch time on the weekends where the school’s buffet offered a basket full of mini croissants and pain des chocolats.
So I was quite excited as I’ve been wanting to conquer my fear of yeast.
Unfortunately, the results weren’t very good. I made the recipe four times but wasn’t totally happy with the results. I don’t blame the recipe because plenty of others have had success with it and it is Julia Child’s. Perhaps it’s my lack of experience in making breads, yeast, kneading or other conditions.
First try, with melted chocolate and crushed hazelnuts
The first two tries, the yeast was dead. I took a gamble and tried to proceed which of course resulted to the doughs not rising and therefore quite heavy after baking. The third try was better after buying new yeast, proofed it before using and it resulted in better, flaky and lighter texture but the center still had a raw feeling. The fourth and last try (which I forgot to take a picture of), I used active dry yeast instead of instant and I was excited since the dough was rising very well but after baking, the results were similar to the third try, but with less flaky dough. Really weird. Another thing was that I never was able to get 12 croissants but only 8.
2nd attempt
Third attempt
But anyhow, despite the unsuccessful tries this hasn’t turned me off baking breads since I LOVE eating bread and would love to one day be able to bake plenty of them. By the way, Nutella is love. I placed some inside/on the croissants and it was just heavenly.
Baking Between Cities 